Hong Kong lawmakers question if landlords will register subdivided flats
Under proposed law to improve quality of flats, landlords would need to pay HK$1,000 registration fee, obtain licence and hire professionals for inspections
Lawmakers have expressed concerns over whether landlords will take part in a proposed registration scheme for subdivided homes in Hong Kong, with some urging authorities to reduce the fees to increase the incentive.
They questioned the government’s approach at a Legislative Council panel meeting on Monday, where officials discussed the latest proposal for the scheme that offers a three-year grace period for landlords to rectify substandard flats to meet minimum standards.
“How could the Housing Bureau ensure the registration is efficient ?” lawmaker Vincent Cheng Wing-shun said.
Lawmaker Chan Hok-fung asked whether the registration fee could be reduced and if the bureau had enough manpower for enforcement actions in the future if owners failed to register their flats.
Lawmaker Judy Chan Kapui suggested the HK$1,000 (US$129) registration fee be waived in the first year as an “early bird discount”.
She added the fee could be significantly increased in the second or third year to encourage owners to register as early as possible.
The government earlier proposed drafting a new law allowing only registered subdivided flats – known as “basic housing units” – that meet minimum standards to remain on the rental market. It is estimated there are 110,000 subdivided flats in the city.